By the 1970s, fans had accepted that The Beatles were done for good. The band that had changed the face of music was no more, and each member had ventured into their own solo career. For John Lennon, it was a time to explore his own artistic direction outside of the group’s shadow.
Lennon was open to new musical trends, even as he stayed true to his rock and roll roots. As punk rock emerged, shaking up the music scene, Lennon noticed something in it that reminded him of The Beatles’ early days. The energy, rawness, and rebellious spirit of the genre sparked memories of his own beginnings.
In this article, we’ll explore the punk band that caught Lennon’s attention and why it struck such a chord with him.
Lennon’s Raw, Unfiltered Sound
Working with Yoko Ono, John Lennon experimented with music that broke away from traditional styles. Together, they created a series of avant-garde albums that pushed boundaries. But it was with the “Plastic Ono Band” album where Lennon truly opened up about his personal struggles.
On this album, Lennon confronted his past and didn’t shy away from critiquing the world’s hypocrisy. Tracks like “Working Class Hero” became powerful statements, reflecting his disillusionment with societal norms. His honesty resonated with fans on a deeper level.
Lennon also pushed himself vocally like never before. In songs like “Well Well Well,” he unleashed raw emotion, sometimes screaming with such intensity it felt like he was ripping his voice apart. It was a gritty, unapologetic style reminiscent of Little Richard’s powerful vocal delivery.
Punk’s Raw Energy Caught Lennon’s Attention
John Lennon couldn’t have predicted how his passionate, unpolished vocal style would inspire a new generation of street-level bands. As punk began to rise, young musicians embraced the raw energy Lennon had shown in his solo work.
Bands like The Clash and Ramones rejected the polished, superficial music that dominated the airwaves. Instead, they focused on stripping music down to its core, creating a gritty, no-frills sound that reflected their frustration with the world.
Even from his upscale Dakota apartment, Lennon couldn’t help but notice the surge of punk. The raw, rebellious attitude of the Sex Pistols particularly stood out to him, reminding him of his own early days with The Beatles.
Lennon Saw Himself in Punk’s Rebellious Spirit
When John Lennon first encountered the punk scene, it sparked memories of The Beatles’ wild early days. Reflecting on it, Lennon shared how he saw a bit of his own past in the new movement. He said, “Yeah, great…that’s how we used to behave at the Cavern before Brian [Epstein] told us to stop throwing up and drinking onstage.”
Lennon recognized that the rebellious spirit of bands like the Sex Pistols wasn’t so different from how The Beatles acted in their early years. Back then, they weren’t polished rock stars—they were rowdy performers, rough around the edges.
Their time in Hamburg had toughened them up, playing long sets for drunken crowds who weren’t interested in soft, mellow tunes. The Beatles, much like punk bands later on, learned to embrace chaos and energy to win over those audiences.
Lennon’s Rebel Edge Still Shined Through
Even though John Lennon moved toward mellower music after The Beatles split, the rebellious streak never fully left him. It could still be heard in the way he delivered certain tracks.
Songs like “Meat City” and “What You Got” had moments where Lennon pushed his voice to the limit. He shouted with raw intensity, reflecting the energy that punk bands were beginning to showcase in their own music.
Lennon’s vocal grit in these songs mirrored the bold, unrefined style that Johnny Rotten perfected with the Sex Pistols. The parallels between Lennon’s shouts and Rotten’s iconic delivery on tracks like “Pretty Vacant” show that Lennon’s rebel spirit wasn’t far removed from punk’s explosive sound.
Punk’s Influence on Lennon’s Final Album
The former Beatle’s rebellious spirit found its way into his final album, Double Fantasy. While much of the album focused on his domestic life, tracks like “Cleanup Time” carried a raw, unpolished energy. This rough edge gave the song a punk-like feel, despite its otherwise mellow themes.
Lennon even worked with members of Cheap Trick on an early version of the song, bringing a punchier, more aggressive sound to the recording. The collaboration helped capture the same chaotic vibe that was a hallmark of punk music at the time.
Unlike many classic rockers who saw punk as a threat, Lennon welcomed its honesty. He admired how punk bands didn’t try to polish or sugarcoat their music, once saying, “They didn’t have to put any shine on it. I think it’s great.”